Letter: Moderately confused?

Posted 6/28/17

To the editor:

Hi Ken. I’m amused at how a little sarcasm bothers you so much. And, I’m surprised that you didn’t follow your own self-serving rhetoric to “engage in …

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Letter: Moderately confused?

Posted

To the editor:

Hi Ken. I’m amused at how a little sarcasm bothers you so much. And, I’m surprised that you didn’t follow your own self-serving rhetoric to “engage in mature conversation” (quoting from your on-line response), before you impugned me. 

You certainly recall when, about a year ago, you personally contacted my wife to see if she had an interest in running against a certain incumbent in state office. She declined. You might also recall our breakfast meeting at the “Cozy”. Yet, you have now decided to attack me publicly while you have our email and phone number and chose not to personally contact me first. A little hypocritical? 

In fact, it was based on Mr. Ursillo’s advice that Mr. Douglas stated he or his wife needed to recuse one or the other from joint committee on appropriations/school committee meetings. I didn’t make that up. My questions piggy back off that legal advice; how is that done and where is the line drawn? What is it precisely that Mr. Douglas can or cannot do relative to school committee matters?

Hats off to Mr. Hellmann who had the chutzpah to call for Mr. Douglas’ resignation. He’s spot on and it may be the only way to rectify this obvious and misguided turn of events. The fact is, the committee on appropriations has always been a “Watch-Dog” group; not an “active-listening” unit or a rubber stamp for the school committee. 

Unlike you, I suspect that many taxpayers in Barrington are quite upset. Perhaps the taxes you pay are of no concern. But trust me, there are many who are beginning to stand up and speak out for the retired and/or those on fixed incomes in town. I also know many neighbors and friends who can “afford to write the check”, but are also opposed to the “Douglas arrangement.” Mrs. Flanders echoes the sentiments of many having said “Wait until you get your new tax bills!” I’m not looking forward to receiving mine.

I think it is shameful to see the lack of leadership from the town Republican party, to which you now subscribe, and from which I will soon disaffiliate. Where were you during the “Common Core” debate (a disaster for our children), the car tax mess, and affordable housing debacle? Where were you with the 8 plus percent tax increase this year? Since when have you ever stood up for anything in this town? And this is the anthill you choose to die on? Ken, you need to put your “big boy pants” on (perhaps, yoga pants)? (Oops, there goes that sarcasm again.)

By the way, Ken, when did you become the arbiter of what can be said in a public newspaper opinion piece or what the Ethics Commission may or may not decide? I reject your criticism! Sorry (well, not really), if my writing “screams at you." Did you get some advice from the Stooges law firm of, Dewey, Cheatem and Howe? (Lordy, more sarcasm). I continue to ask, “How does this arrangement avoid the appearance of impropriety?” “How are the highest ethical standards to be held in this arrangement?” “How can this conflict of interest be abated, if at all?” You might begin by sharing your answers to these questions with our town in your next letter to the editor as a way to “engage in mature conversation.”

Spare me the lecture. You, who ruined the opportunity for John Robitaille, a life-long Republican who would have won and been a fantastic governor but for your doomed and defunct “Moderate Party” run (whatever that stood for). I prefer to have those in appointed or elected office that don’t have to recuse themselves from any meetings and for any purpose. You, the Douglas’ surrogates, and all the rest of the politically correct, shi-shi, free speech deniers need to get a handle on something called the First Amendment! 

I will always defend your right to disagree with many fellow Barrington residents and me. I hope you’ll return the favor. I do agree however with your Twitter feed, that states, “Rhode Island deserves better from our government than we’ve been getting”. 

And so does Barrington, Ken.

Scott Fuller

Barrington

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